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Topology optimization of continuum supporting structures for microwave antenna applications

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Abstract

In microwave antenna applications, continuum structures usually support attached functional surfaces to realize some specific electromagnetic performance. Topology optimization of continuum supporting structures with functional surfaces is a challenge for microwave antenna applications. By introducing the concept of aperture field distribution into the design domain, a weighting approach for the topology optimization of continuum supporting structures with functional surfaces is presented based on the SIMP model. With the weighting aperture field distribution, the objective function of compliance in the previous SIMP method is changed to a weighted compliance. By selecting an optimized control factor, a different truss topology structure with several components from the previous method is clearly obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through three typical applications: array antennas, reflector antennas, and conformal antennas with planar and curved functional surfaces.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the reviewers and editor for their very beneficial comments and suggestion, which helped a lot in improving this paper.

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 51705388, Shaanxi Natural Science Basic Research Project No. 2020JM-181, and Young Talent fund of University Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi, China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design (Ministry of Education), Xidian University, Xi’an, 710071, Shaanxi, China

    Shuxin Zhang & Baoyan Duan

Authors
  1. Shuxin Zhang
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  2. Baoyan Duan
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Correspondence to Shuxin Zhang.

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Replication of results

The results presented in this study can be replicated by implementing the formulas and data structures presented in this study. The code and data for producing the presented results will be made available by request.

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Responsible Editor: Emilio Carlos Nelli Silva

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Zhang, S., Duan, B. Topology optimization of continuum supporting structures for microwave antenna applications. Struct Multidisc Optim 62, 2409–2422 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-020-02612-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-020-02612-5

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